Letter and Word Tic-Tac-Toe

Help your child learn to recognize letters and sight words by playing a twist on an old classic: Tic-Tac-Toe. The rules of this version of Tic-Tac-Toe are the same as the original. Players will take turns saving a square by writing in it. The first player with three squares in a row (either across, down or diagonal) is the winner. Instead of writing an X or an O, however, players will write either letters (if your child is learning her ABCs) or sight words (if your child has started reading).

To start, print either the “Sight Word Tic-Tac-Toe” or “ABC Tic-Tac-Toe” printable (right). Both PDFs include a game board and a sheet of cards you will cut out for players to use as they randomly choose the letter or word they will write in the squares they want to claim.

Cut out the sheet of letters or words (depending on the version you are using).

Place the letters (or words) in a cup and mix them up. Each player will choose one to use as she plays the game. Players will take turns saving a square by writing in it. The first player with three squares in a row (either across, down or diagonal) is the winner. If it is helpful, watch the quick video demonstrating the game (right).

This version is the same as the original except players pick a letter from a cup to use as their X or O.

Malia is a National Board Certified elementary teacher turned stay at home mama to three young kids {4.5, 3 and 1}. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Education {go Stanford!} and spent seven years teaching in a classroom. Since starting Playdough to Plato in 2012, her ideas have been featured in Parenting Magazine, Pinterest's Top Educational Pins and Kiwi Crate.